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Booster Immunization Improves Memory B Cell Responses in Older Adults Unresponsive to Primary SARS-CoV-2 Immunization

Authors :
Marije K. Verheul
Kim H. Nijhof
Mary-lène de Zeeuw-Brouwer
Geraly Duijm
Hinke ten Hulscher
Lia de Rond
Lisa Beckers
Dirk Eggink
Sophie van Tol
Johan Reimerink
Mardi Boer
Josine van Beek
Nynke Rots
Rob van Binnendijk
Anne-Marie Buisman
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 11, Iss 7, p 1196 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

The generation of a specific long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is considered important for protection against COVID-19 infection and disease. Memory B cells, responsible for the generation of antibody-producing plasmablasts upon a new antigen encounter, play an important role in this process. Therefore, the induction of memory B cell responses after primary and booster SARS-CoV-2 immunizations was investigated in the general population with an emphasis on older adults. Participants, 20–99 years of age, due to receive the mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were included in the current study. Specific memory B cells were determined by ex vivo ELISpot assays. In a subset of participants, antibody levels, avidity, and virus neutralization capacity were compared to memory B cell responses. Memory B cells specific for both Spike S1 and receptor-binding domain (RBD) were detected in the majority of participants following the primary immunization series. However, a proportion of predominantly older adults showed low frequencies of specific memory B cells. Booster vaccination resulted in a large increase in the frequencies of S1- and RBD-specific memory B cells also for those in which low memory B cell frequencies were detected after the primary series. These data show that booster immunization is important for the generation of a memory B cell response, as a subset of older adults shows a suboptimal response to the primary SARS-CoV-2 immunization series. It is anticipated that these memory B cells will play a significant role in the immune response following viral re-exposure.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2076393X
Volume :
11
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Vaccines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.48f77bf528d4fd69ee4ff2c341e3b9e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11071196